Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 22791–22800

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

There was no documentary evidence showing the petitioner's role was leading or critical for the museums, no organizational chart showing her place in the hierarchy, and no evidence distinguishing her contributions from other educators and staff. The record also lacked evidence showing QMA and MDB had a distinguished reputation relative to other museums.

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There was no documentary evidence showing the petitioner's role was leading or critical for the museums, no organizational chart showing her place in the hierarchy, and no evidence distinguishing her contributions from other educators and staff. The record also lacked evidence showing QMA and MDB had a distinguished reputation relative to other museums.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_03_B2203; source_row=14874
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the new educational evaluations unpersuasive and unsubstantiated, reaffirmed that a three-year Indian bachelor's is not a foreign equivalent degree, and held NIIT does not qualify because it is not a college or university.

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AAO found the new educational evaluations unpersuasive and unsubstantiated, reaffirmed that a three-year Indian bachelor's is not a foreign equivalent degree, and held NIIT does not qualify because it is not a college or university.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_03_B5203; source_row=14877
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

foreign equivalent of a U.S. master's degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded none of the new evaluations were peer-reviewed or substantiated, preferred EDGE's analysis (which equates the three-year B.A. plus M.A. in economics to a single U.S. four-year bachelor's, and the second master's to a U.S. bachelor's), and noted the ETA 750 specifically required a six-year master's degree, which cannot be ignored.

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AAO concluded none of the new evaluations were peer-reviewed or substantiated, preferred EDGE's analysis (which equates the three-year B.A. plus M.A. in economics to a single U.S. four-year bachelor's, and the second master's to a U.S. bachelor's), and noted the ETA 750 specifically required a six-year master's degree, which cannot be ignored.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_05_B5203; source_row=14885
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of three types of evidence at step 1.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of three types of evidence at step 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_04_B2203; source_row=14882
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

On appeal, the petitioner submitted documentary evidence demonstrating he served as a reviewer for IJSMS, which satisfies the plain language of the judging criterion. AAO withdrew the director's findings on this criterion.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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On appeal, the petitioner submitted documentary evidence demonstrating he served as a reviewer for IJSMS, which satisfies the plain language of the judging criterion. AAO withdrew the director's findings on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_04_B2203; source_row=14881
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence demonstrating that she displayed her work at artistic exhibitions and showcases.

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The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence demonstrating that she displayed her work at artistic exhibitions and showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_03_B2203; source_row=14873
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing work in the area of expertise in the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the appeal-stage letters from the gallery and two museums sufficed to show clear evidence of continuing work in the petitioner's area of expertise.

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The AAO found the appeal-stage letters from the gallery and two museums sufficed to show clear evidence of continuing work in the petitioner's area of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_03_B2203; source_row=14876
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

Based on the new controller's letter — permissible because the petitioner employs more than 100 workers — AAO found ability to pay established and withdrew that portion of its prior decision.

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Based on the new controller's letter — permissible because the petitioner employs more than 100 workers — AAO found ability to pay established and withdrew that portion of its prior decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_02_B5203; source_row=14867
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary meets minimum education stated on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed its prior holding that the beneficiary's MBA was not shown to be in marketing as required by the labor certification.

Why this is useful

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AAO affirmed its prior holding that the beneficiary's MBA was not shown to be in marketing as required by the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_02_B5203; source_row=14866
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

Schedule C net income each year from 2007 ($124,465) through 2011 ($184,800) exceeded the $42,270 proffered wage, establishing ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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Schedule C net income each year from 2007 ($124,465) through 2011 ($184,800) exceeded the $42,270 proffered wage, establishing ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-12_01_B5203; source_row=14864
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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